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We have 6 days to provide your feedback on management options proposed by Fisheries Queensland for the Spanish Mackerel (SM) fishery. After reading responses from my members, speaking to other stakeholders and the views shared in today’s podcast please keep the following in mind: * The science, the driver of our fisheries management is flawed. Please listen to the podcast and the rational provided for why the science is fundamentally flawed. * The State Government will not go back to first principles and review the modelling - you have to ask why? * The consultation is inconsistent with best practice: (1) Fisheries Queensland have held invitation only meetings, (2) for some reason there is no email address to submit views and (3) there seems to be no willingness to review the science.   So why listen to the podcast? My guests today are members of the SM working group and a charter fishery member who left the group.   I would like to thank Richard Gilmore, Peter Stevens, Rob Drane and Gary Powis for helping me produce the podcast.   Some key themes from the discussion: (1) the SM working group had no role in developing the stock assessment, (2) the SM working group members brings a massive knowledge base that has largely been ignored (despite calls from working group members to slow down and reconsider the management options proposed by Fisheries Queensland) and (3) there is agreement across the commercial, recreational and charter sectors that there is something very wrong with the science.   Again, the submission closing date is 5 pm, Thursday 5 May 2022.   Survey link: https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/spanish-mackerel-2022/userinfo/survey-on-east-coast-spanish-mackerel-fishery

I had the opportunity to speak with Daniel McCarthy this afternoon regarding the debacle that is the management of the Spanish Mackerel fishery and the so-called science underpinning it.   FB link: https://www.facebook.com/QLDSeafood   Public Meeting Notice   Thursday 24 March 6-8pm at the Calvary Church Facility – the old Everest Cinemas in Grafton Street, 108 Grafton Street.   Thanks to Daniel McCarthy from Big Fish Down Under. Daniel is looking for some assistance with the costs of the meeting, if you can help please call 0413 054 031.   The meeting is open to commercial seafood industry and is supported by QSIA, the Fishermens Portal, GoCCFA and MBSIA.

Today’s podcast focuses on AMSA's feedback and consultation process relating to draft Marine Order 505. You can send your feedback to AMSA at :consultation@amsa.gov.au AMSA Links The review website can be found here: https://www.amsa.gov.au/final-consultation-near-coastal-qualifications The draft marine order can be accessed here: file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/draft-marine-order-505.pdf

Today’s podcast focuses on the ways in which AMSA consult and communicate with industry. We also discuss Marine Inspectors and their role. AMSA Connect contact number 1800 627 484.\ AMSA Queensland office locations: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5mxz5j/AMSA_office_locationsb8ep0.pdf Podcast Timestamp 0:00 - 6:20: AMSA and Industry Engagement 6:21 – 8:46: Marine Inspections 8:47 – 10:25: The role of AMSA Liaison Officers 10:26 – 16:35 Incident Reporting

Welcome back to the QSIA podcast series.  Today's guest is Tony Riesenweber, commercial fisher and Director with the Association. Courier Mail - Wednesday 3 September 2003 Reporting requirements for commercial fisheries - General Information Reporting requirements Fisheries Legislation Podcast Timestamp 0:00 - 0:19: Introduction 0:20 - 4:20: State of fisheries reforms 4:21 - 7:10: Coral Trout fishery 7:11 - 9:25: Reform does not equal change (our fisheries are still being managed on commercial catch alone) 9:26 - 15:03: New reporting requirements  15:04 - 15:58: Final comments

QSIA President Allan Bobbermen is today's guest and the discussion focused on the allocation of quota certificates by Fisheries Queensland on Friday 30 July.  Allan also discusses his concerns for those commercial fishers impacted by what can only be described as poor fisheries management. The Association will have a lot more to share regarding quota allocation and the impacts on this important industry. You can contact the CEO or Board members here: QSIA Contacts

Our thanks to Mark Alexander for his time and candid discussion regarding the fisheries reporting requirements facing commercial fishers from 1 September. His consideration of moving his business to New South Wales is an indictment on the fisheries management regime in this State. More importantly, if Fisheries Queensland is looking for reasons why industry are less and less willing to engage on fisheries management issues - this industry do not have trust or faith in those individuals managing our fisheries resources. All you need to do is listen to Mark during this discussion to truly understand the level of frustration and stress being felt across this industry.

This podcast focuses on simplified equipment lists for small fishing vessel operations. For more information regarding simplified equipment lists for small fishing vessel operations please use this link: https://www.amsa.gov.au/news-community/news-and-media-releases/simplified-equipment-lists-small-fishing-vessel-operations Thanks for joining us on the podcast and if you have any questions please send them to eo@qsia.com.au or Mick.Bishop@amsa.gov.au.

Thanks to Brett Fuchs for sharing his insights with the Association.  This podcast is a reminder of the depth of feeling and the utter lack of trust in the so-called reform process and those leading that reform. If you want to understand why industry has lost faith in Fisheries Queensland and the reform process, please listen to this podcast. The Association is producing content to provide the community and industry an alternative view to those of Fisheries Queensland and the State Government. QSIA website  QSIA Facebook Queensland Catch Queensland Catch Facebook QSIA podcasts QSIA Youtube channel

The Association spoke with John Hellmuth and Amada Carnellor, trawl fishers and seafood retailers based in Tin Can Bay. They share their views of the so-called fisheries reform process. You can also view the video featuring John and Amanda by visiting our YouTube channel. QSIA YouTube channel: John and Amanda

Elaine Lewthwaite, a partner in a Queensland Trawl business provides some valuable insights into how the soc-called reform process has missed the mark. Human resources being a key lost opportunity.   Her observation that industry has been marginalized at the cost of the people that work to provide seafood to Queenslanders, Australians and international visitors. Communication and trust are lacking and a significant rebuilding of relationships need to occur – fear and anxiety are no way to manage commercial fisheries.   Reef line fishery working group - Insights with Neil Green   QSIA podcasts

Discussion with Leigh Slade, Managing Director at Slade Fisheries regarding the Queensland Scallop fishery. You can access the video here: Leigh Slade Trawl fishery working group: Communique 27-28 April 2021 Trawl fishery working group: Southern Inshore Trawl Harvest Strategy Workshop 27-28 May 2021

Now is the time to renew your AMSA Certificates of Operation In the next few months, most 5-year certificates of operation for Queensland fishing vessels will be due for renewal.  To renew your Certificate of Operation: If you have more than one vessel and separate certificates for each vessel – consider consolidating all your vessels onto a single certificate of operation when you make your renewal. This will save you money as the single 5-year certificate will cost $200 for all your boats, rather than $200 for each boat on separate certificates.  Where possible, please provide a copy of all the current certificates with your application. If you would like to renew your certificate, can provide a copy of the current certificate and do not want to make any changes, you can apply using the following: AMSA Form 553 If you would like to renew your certificate, are unable to provide a copy of the current certificate,  please apply using AMSA Form 504 and select the new a certificate option. If you want to make changes or consolidate all your vessels into a single certificate you will need to select the option to ‘make a change’ or ‘apply for a new certificate’ on the AMSA form 504. If you need any further help, call AMSA Connect on 1800 627 484, 8am-7pm weekdays. Please ensure you renew your certificates on time or a Temporary Operations permission will be required to continue operating. Thanks for joining us on the podcast and if you have any questions please send them to eo@qsia.com.au or Mick.Bishop@amsa.gov.au.

I spoke with Stephen Parsons of N.Q. Prawn Cutlets based in Cairns regarding the Spanish Mackerel fishery.  The implications for our supply chain as the result of mismanagement is clearly spelled out by Stephen.

Andrew Mirosch has been a chef for more than 30 years.  Andrew is also a food and beverage consultant and a Queensland based commercial fisher.  He is strong supporter of and advocate for this industry. The conversation with Andrew helps link seafood experience with the important for commercial fishers to continue to harvest seafood for the Queenslanders and Australians.

Welcome to the first podcast of an ongoing series focused on information sharing regarding Queensland vessel safety issues. The podcast is hosted by the Association and Mick Bishop – Liaison Officer, Queensland, from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). This is a new approach to information sharing so please send your questions to eo@qsia.com.au or Mick.Bishop@amsa.gov.au.

Today’s podcast is the second part of a discussion with Greg Radley, a Gulf of Carpentaria and east coast commercial fisher shares his views on the Queensland Spanish Mackerel fishery. There is no security or stability in quota management, as Greg noted, ‘quota has become a financial burden to fishermen’. The Association has written extensively on this issue on QSIA News: Ghost quota – 18 April 2021 Myths surrounding quota management – 17 March 2021

Today’s podcast features a discussion with Greg Radley, a Gulf of Carpentaria and east coast commercial fisher shares his views on the Queensland Spanish Mackerel fishery. The East Coast Spanish Mackerel Working Group Communique provides details regarding the Spanish Mackerel fishery and the 2021 stock assessment stating the fishery has an estimated unfished biomass at 17 percent. Fisheries Queensland have indicated that the stock assessment is undertaking an independent scientific peer review process.

Welcome back to a podcast recorded with Shane Snow, QSIA Vice President.  A great follow-up to our podcast Neil Green (you can access the podcast here).  The podcast focused on the impact of the reforms and some disturbing, underlying issues.   For more information regarding the work of Dr Tanya King and her colleagues, you can access the FRDC paper and journal article in Fish and Fisheries: Tanya King et al (2019) Tanya King et al (2021)

Neil Green, former QSIA President and commercial fisher from north Queensland provides some insights regarding the Reef line fishery working group and a host of issues regarding the so-called fisheries reform process. QSIA News: Reef Fishing (update)